Staying Focused On Your Recovery

When a person first gets sober, there is a whirlwind of activity. This is especially true if you go to detox or treatment, where much of your time is spent in therapy and groups. However, we’re all human and sometimes prone to drama. When you first get sober, everything may feel new. Your emotions may be more intense than usual. It may be easy to focus or obsess on a person, place, or thing that you’re unhappy about.

Letting Go Of Obsession

Small things – like arguments, bad traffic, or a bad day at work can loom over you if you let them. You can easily dwell on the bad if you choose to. Why is this? Unfortunately, your mind, which is used to the lifestyle of addiction, is also accustomed to creating distractions that help give you excuses to use your drug of choice.

Many people new to recovery find themselves obsessing over upsetting situations from their past. Sadness, regret, and even mourning your old lifestyle make take the form of obsession, which is a symptom of substance use disorder.

Give yourself time to focus on letting go each day, no matter what you’re upset about. Start and end your day with a “letting go” activity, such as journaling your feelings. You can also do this through meditation, prayer, or simply by taking a long walk and practicing mindfulness. All of these can help quiet your mind and focus on recovery.

Accepting the Help of Others

Accepting the help of others is an integral part of recovery. After all, look at where you ended up! But, unfortunately, your addiction didn’t do you any favors.

Now that you’re sober, you probably wonder what’s next. In recovery, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about your addiction. Treatment will help you through different types of therapy. And in the 12-step programs, you’ll find recovery peers who can help you stay sober. These are places you'll learn essential coping skills.

You will also need to find a sponsor who can help you work the 12 steps. Your sponsor is somebody you can trust with your secrets and who can share their experience, strength, and hope with you.

It can be humbling to accept help. But, just remember, asking for help is a sign of strength. You’ve got this! Calling, texting, and otherwise staying in touch with your recovery will help your focus immensely.

Learn More About Treatment Options

Asking for help is the first step in recovering from addiction. If you or somebody you love needs help, we’re here to help answer any questions you may have. So give us a call at 619-363-4767 to learn more about how we can help you get started on the path to recovery.